Megan McCafferty's Blog, page 8

Book Expo Update!

Due to popular demand, ARCs of JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST #1 will be distributed from booth 1829 only on 5/30 from 10-11AM and 5/31 from 9-9:30AM. (If you can’t make it during those times it can’t hurt to ask for IT, though.)

Book Expo 2013!

I’m thrilled to introduce JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST: THE (TOTALLY NOT) GUARANTEED GUIDE TO POPULARITY, PRETTINESS & PERFECTION at BEA this year! Details:

1. I’m not walking the convention floor. However, JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST will be featured in Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Booth #1829. I’m told that my publisher will distribute a limited number of ARCs per day throughout the convention SO GET THEM WHILE THEY LAST. And if you don’t see it, please ask for it!

2. I’m attending the Little, Brown Books for Young Readers cocktail party on Thursday, May 30th. Actually, they’re putting me and five other Little, Brown authors to work as bartenders. I’m serving a punch of my own creation called the Jessica Darling Clementine. The final IT LIST cover (NOT the trial covers currently on amazon.com or bn.com) will be revealed in the form of cute take-home coasters. I’m very excited about this because I love the final cover so very much.

3. I’m also going to the NYC Rooftop YA Author and Blogger Party hosted by Liza Weimer of WhoRuBlog. If you see me, talk to me! Why am I writing a middle grade novel? When did I decide to revisit Jessica Darling? Am I afraid of messing with the SLOPPY FIRSTS legacy? Ask and I will answer.

So that’s my schedule. I’m sorry that these events are invitation only and therefore limit my opportunities to connect with readers. Hopefully I’ll be back at BEA next year to talk about the second book in the IT LIST series…

As always, thanks for reading!

Megan

THUMPED: Now on sale in paperback!

“A sparkling, imaginative romp that is nevertheless plenty provocative.” — Kirkus Reviews

What do Jessica Darling & Marcus Flutie Have in Common with Katniss & Peeta?

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY chose Jessica Darling and Marcus Flutie as one of the Top 10 Best YA Couples of All Time! OF. ALL. TIME. Admittedly, the list skews toward recent novels. In fact, I think the only couple on the list that predates Jessica and Marcus is Katherine and Michael (and RALPH) from Judy Blume’s classic sexytimes novel FOREVER… The other interesting thing about this list is that I’m pretty sure every other couple has already made it to the big (or small) screen OR has plans to do so in the near future. Alas, there are so such plans for Jessica and Marcus. I know, I know, I told you all about the exciting movie stuff that WAS happening, and well, it’s not happening anymore. Which is not to say that it won’t happen. Or can’t. In fact, maybe some Hollywood type will see this list and want to do cinematic justice to Jessica and Marcus after all these years.

Or not.

And that’s okay.

P.S. You’ll get to read about a whole new dimension of the Jessica/Marcus relationship in the middle grade prequel to SLOPPY FIRSTS. Jessica Darling’s IT List: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness and Perfection goes on sale September 3, 2013. Note: The amazon synopsis is legit. But the cover is not. I’ll reveal the final cover…um…when it’s finalized.

JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST #1 SYNOPSIS REVEALED!

Amazon beat me to it. NOTE: The synopsis is legit. The cover is not. I’ll reveal the real cover when it’s finalized. The middle grade prequel to SLOPPY FIRSTS goes on sale September 3rd, 2013.

New Year, New Book!

I’m excited about 2013, people. I’ve got a lot to look forward to this year, not the least of which is the publication of the middle grade prequel to SLOPPY FIRSTS.

JESSICA DARLING’S IT LIST: THE (TOTALLY NOT) GUARANTEED GUIDE TO POPULARITY, PRETTINESS AND PERFECTION goes on sale in September 2013.

I’ll tell you more about it when my publisher lets me. For now, all I can say is that I had more fun writing this book than any book I’ve ever written. (And I’m already having a blast working on book #2!) This new series is targeted to 9-to-12 year-olds, but I know in my heart that fans of the original books will LOVE getting to know junior high Jessica and Marcus and Hope and the Clueless Crew before they were even called the Clueless Crew.

(I’d show you the adorable cover that was wholeheartedly and unanimously approved by a mini focus group of some of my favorite 8-to-13 year olds but I’m not allowed to. Yet.)

As always, thanks for reading.

Megan

 

YA for NJ Raised $13K+ for the Food Bank of NJ

YA readers, writers and editors rock harder than Bon Jovi on the Slippery When Wet Tour ’87.

Time Is Running Out to Bid on MARCUS FLUTIE SECRETS.

Go here. 

BID on MARCUS FLUTIE SECRETS and SO MUCH MORE

In my previous post I told you all about YA for NJ and how my donation for the auction is a one-of-a-kind ARC of SLOPPY FIRSTS all marked up in my own handwriting with stories behind the story including the 100 percent honest truth about the origins of Marcus Flutie. That is a pretty awesome prize for a die-hard Jessica Darling fan. Or a pretty awesome present for the die-hard Jessica Darling fan in your life. Which is perfect timing since THE HOLIDAYS ARE FAST UPON US.

Yesterday I read about A GIRL AND HER ROOM, a series of portraits by photographer Rania Matar. I’m fascinated by photography as it relates to the study of anthropology and sociology and I’m obviously very invested in the inner worlds of teenage girls so yeah, I love the idea of this book and what I’ve seen of it so far. (I don’t own it yet but THE HOLIDAYS ARE FAST UPON US so **hint**hint** to any family members who might be reading this.) Anyway, so I tweeted about this book and one of my followers @roxie_heartless asked about my teenage bedroom and I promised I would find and post pictures.

Here they are:

This is my bedroom my sophomore year of high school. I’m fifteen. I’m dressed up for Halloween as Jem from JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS. Note the STAND BY ME POSTER above my bed. I thought that was a sophisticated way to display my lust for River Phoenix. I still don’t shut my drawers and it drives my husband crazy.

 

This is my side of the dorm room my freshman year of college. I’m eighteen. I’m dressed for a HEADBANGERS BALL party at Kappa Sig. Note the juxtaposition of surrealism and cheezism as seen in the Salvador Dali and ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN posters. If you had asked me before I rediscovered this photo if I had ever owned a AIRNTKILIK poster I would have replied with something along the lines of, “ARE YOU EFFING KIDDING ME? WHAT KIND OF CHEESEBALL DO YOU TAKE ME FOR?” Alas, a cheeseball in a red velvet bodysuit.

This is my side of the dorm room sophomore year. I’m 19. I’m dressed like that because J.Crew color-blocked corduroy button downs were mandatory on my preppy campus. I’ve surrounded myself with a combination of ironic and sincere pop culture icons including Michael Stipe, Natalie Merchant, the cast of the first season of THE REAL WORLD, Shaun Cassidy, Bono, Zach Morris, Winona Ryder and Dolly Parton. I made that collage from images cut out of SASSY magazine. SASSY was the best magazine ever.

BUT WHAT DO THESE PHOTOS HAVE TO DO WITH BIDDING ON MARCUS FLUTIE SECRETS?

When I was retrieving these photo albums from my bins in the basement, I came across, well…a lot of stuff that is both directly and indirectly responsible for the creation of Jessica Darling’s universe. Stuff that might be of interest to a die-hard Jessica Darling fan. Stuff that could easily be included inside a one-of-a-kind ARC that is up for auction to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy.

So there you have it. In addition to my scribblings, this one-of-a-kind ARC of SLOPPY FIRSTS will also include original photos, notes, journal excerpts from BACK IN THE DAY. BONUS TO THE BONUS: The winning bidder will also get to ask me three questions–about the books, about life in general, or, I suppose, ABOUT MARCUS FLUTIE–that I will answer as candidly as possible.

That’s how much this auction means to me, people. Bidding begins Friday on the YA for NJ page on Ebay. 

 

YA for NJ: Author Swag for Hurricane Sandy Relief

More than 100 authors from the YA community have come together to help support New Jersey residents devastated by Sandy. As I’ve said, I’ve been moved to tears by disasters half-way around the world. But–to risk sounding like an action movie cliche–THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL. Many in my hometown are still without power. Far too many more are without homes or anywhere to go. Please like YA for NJ on Facebook to find out how to win something cool from your favorite author all in the name of an excellent cause.

For example, I’m donating a uniquely-annotated-in-my-very-own-handwriting ADVANCED READER COPY of SLOPPY FIRSTS. It’s from 2001, people. The Backstreet Boys were still boys. (Okay. Maybe not Kevin. Kevin was always kinda old. But you get what I’m saying.) This ARC is so rare that it’s the last one I have in my possession. In this one-of-a-kind ARC I will reveal all sorts of insider information such as the backstories behind all the characters including THE TRUE ORIGINS OF MARCUS FLUTIE.

So. Maybe that’s something you’d like to bid on once the bidding gets going. Perhaps you would like to bid on swag donated by any one of the 100+ authors who have promised to participate. (With a special shout-out to author and bonafide Jersey Girl Kieran Scott for putting this all together.) Again, like YA for NJ on facebook to find out when the fundraising begins. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Community Food Bank of New Jersey.